29 Nov 2019
Kengo Kuma-designed New National Stadium completed in Tokyo
BY Stu Robarts
Construction of Japan's New National Stadium, which was designed by Kengo Kuma and will be the centrepiece of next year's Olympic Games, has been completed.
The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, as well as sporting events for their duration.
Covering an area of 72,400sq m (780,000sq ft), it has a capacity of around 60,000, with the potential for that to be increased to around 80,000 in the future.
Located in the Kasumigaoka area of Tokyo, the stadium has been designed to blend in with its surroundings in the Forest of Jingu.
In addition to steel elements, it was constructed with large amounts of timber, helping it to fit into the locality and providing a sense of warmth for spectators.
The use of wood can been seen in the stadium's roof, as well as in the eaves around its exterior, which provide shade and help to reduce solar gain.
Breezes are harnessed and directed around the stadium to provide passive cooling, while greenery is planted around the eaves.
Inside, there are three tiers of seating, as well as the required track and field facilities.
The design competition for the stadium was launched in 2012, after which spiralling costs resulted in delays.
Construction eventually began in 2016 and was completed in November 2019.
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